Teaching Excellence Award

Ahern Dr. Robert IngramSelected as 2025 TEA Recipient

"Dr. Sean Ahern exemplifies the essence of educational excellence through his unwavering dedication to student success, innovative teaching methods, and his commitment to advancing the field of mass communication," said Chancellor Paul Turman of the Nebraska State College System (NSCS). "His ability to blend classroom knowledge with real-world experience, inspire student engagement, and cultivate a dynamic learning environment truly sets him apart. Dr. Ahern's passion for his work and his positive impact on students and colleagues make him deserving of the NSCS Teaching Excellence Award. We are proud to celebrate his accomplishments and his invaluable contributions to Wayne State College."   

Read More

Past Teaching Excellence Award Winners

The past winners of the Nebraska State College System Teaching Excellence Award include: 

Kathi Nehls

2025
Dr. Sean Ahern
Wayne State College

Kathi Nehls

2024
Dr. Kathi Nehls
Peru State College

2023
Dr. Mary Keithly
Chadron State College

2022
Dr. Robert Ingram
Peru State College

2021
Dr. Gul Ahmad
Peru State College

2020
Dr. Beth Wentworth
Chadron State College

2019
Dr. Tracy Nobiling
Chadron State College

2018
Dr. Randy Bertolas
Wayne State College

2017
Glenn Kietzmann
Wayne State College

2016
Dr. Bruce Hoem
Chadron State College

2015
Dr. James Wada
Chadron State College

2014
Dr. Laura Dendinger
Wayne State College

2013
Dr. G.W. Sandy Schaefer
Chadron State College

Dr. Michael B. Leite

2012
Dr. Michael B. Leite
Chadron State College

2011
Ms. Christy Hutchison
Peru State College

2010
Dr. Greg Galardi
Peru State College

2009
Dr. Michael Barger
Peru State College

2008 Dr. Todd Young, Wayne State College

2008
Dr. Todd Young
Wayne State College

2007 Dr. Tamara Worner, Wayne State College

2007
Dr. Tamara Worner
Wayne State College

2006 Dr. Jason Karsky, Wayne State College

2006
Dr. Jason Karsky
Wayne State College

2005 Dr. Mary Ettel, Wayne State College

2005
Dr. Mary Ettel
Wayne State College

2004 Dr. Robert Stack, Chadron State College

2004
Dr. Robert Stack
Chadron State College

2003 Dr. Jean Karlen, Wayne State College

2003
Dr. Jean Karlen
Wayne State College

2002 Dr. Sara Crook, Peru State College

2002
Dr. Sara Crook
Peru State College

2000 Dr. Dan Holtz, Peru State College
2000
Dr. Dan Holtz
Peru State College

Ms. Barbara Limbach

1999
Ms. Barbara Limbach
Chadron State College

Dr. Patricia Cruziero

1998
Dr. Patricia Cruziero
Chadron State College

Dr. Pearl Hansen

1997
Dr. Pearl Hansen
Wayne State College

Dr. Dan Cox

1996
Dr. Dan Cox
Peru State College

Dr. Kenneth Halsey

1995
Dr. Kenneth Halsey
Wayne State College

Dr. Charolene Coates

1994
Dr. Charollene Coates
Chadron State College

Dr. Lois Veath

1993
Dr. Lois Veath
Chadron State College

Dr. Carol Pappas

1992
Dr. Carol Pappas
Peru State College

Dr. Russ Rasmussen

1991
Dr. Russ Rasmussen
Wayne State College

1989
Dr. Cornell Runestad
Wayne State College

Dr. George Watson, Jr.

1987
Dr. George Watson, Jr.
Chadron State College

Dr. Cliff Ginn

1986
Dr. Cliff Ginn
Wayne State College